Demand drives solid H1 results for automakers

Most of China's major listed automakers reported profits in the first half of the year, as the country's automobile market went back to double-digit growth after it stagnated in the last two years.

As of Saturday, 80 listed automakers had filed their first-half financial reports to the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, with 55 of them reporting increases in revenue.

The Shenzhen-based battery and car maker BYD Co Ltd led the list after its net profit increased a staggering 25.24 times to 427 million yuan ($69.76 million) in the first half. The company's net profit slumped 94.15 percent year-on-year to 81 million yuan in 2012, the lowest level in at least four years.